..........Apparently the J stroke adds to the Pendulum stroke and this addition can be useful.I'll agree with that with a big emphasis on CAN, meaning MIGHT In my opinion the gain in accuracy is worth pursuing at some unknown cost to the player. I also think that perhaps this is an advanced topic to be pursued after the pendulum stroke is mastered.
Acknowledging the prior discussion, it probably depends upon the ability of the player one is teaching when the J stroke should be introduced as an option for refined play. Here's where I disagree. You feel the J stroke is a superior stroke that ADDS to the pendulum stroke. I feel the P (pedulum) stroke is the pure stroke, however, the J stroke, although not necessarily inferior, can be used to some benefit if the shooter is not properly using the P stroke. That is, they are not properly lined up on the shot.Usually, when using the J stroke, the player is not using it properly, and is therefore subconsciously adjusting for being out of line. Used properly, that is no elbow drop before contact, there is no difference between the two. The goal should be not to drop before contact. Although, being human, that is not always so easy to do. Especially if you have trained yourself a different way for years already. Thus, spider, my opinion has changed as this discussion has developed. Initially I thought that instructors were taking the easy way out. It probably turns out that one should learn the pendulum stroke first and can later learn to enhance it with the J stroke. I think this is worth doing. The J stroke does not enhance the P stroke IMO. If you have a crooked P stroke, the J stroke can help align it. But, again, that is not a pure J stroke either. That is dropping the elbow at least a little to re-align the cue in the desired straight line. Joew
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